WELCOME BACK!

SAKURA?!

What is she doing here? This is my prison. I'm sure of it. What is she doing here?

"You're late!"

"Uh-huh! I didn't know there was a curfew."

"You don't look like someone who's just discharged from the hospital."

"Is that right?"

She sighed.

"Dinner's ready. Why don't you fresh up while I set it up for you."

"Uhm! Sakura?..."

"What?..."

"I'm just curious but what are you doing here?"

"You've just returned and yet seem to have forgotten the basic of courtesy. That being said, one must first know what that means, Isn't that right, son?"

And there, the empress herself had shown up. This is quite a surprise, as I was certain she was supposed to be asleep by now. Unless she's found some love for her son. Yeah, like that can happen.

"Well mother, you still act like you seem to know everything about me."

"Well isn't that obvious. Sadly, I am your mother, the woman who has brought you into this world."

"..."

"And you are my beloved little *******!"

My ears went numb, every time I listen to it. It's quite amusing. Seems like there's some bad blood involved.

"Putting that aside, you should have been discharged in the morning. Might I ask what were you up to till now?"

"Just had some personal errands to run by. Nothing worth gossiping with a mature old lady."

I kept the bag on the shoe rack, while carefully removing my sneakers, and flipped them over, facing towards the door. An picked up my bag again and headed towards the laundry, all while answering her.

"Hmm...Is that so? I knew you had a fetish for older women, but referring to your mother like that, I guess I have to raise my guard around you."

This woman was spouting absolute nonsense. For your information, I prefer women who are a bit older than me, like a senpai! Why? Ummm...I guess it's because that's the environment I grew in. Phew! I really sound like a pervert.

"So, what's she doing here?"

I decided to address the elephant in the room, or this case, a beautiful swan.

"Oh right, forgot to mention, she's staying with us. Indefinitely."

Indefinitely?!

So what you mean to say is I've lost the little peace and privacy I had left in my life? Well, that's a bummer. But predominately, why is she here? I was starting to feel curious, but there was some tingling at the back of my head. It didn't feel right.

"Don't worry, we've added sound-deadening materials to every room in this house. I wouldn't want to pry on your pitiful life any further."

Sound deadening? That's a worthy trade, in exchange for my loss of privacy. This woman was indeed a top attorney.

She handed over my phone.

"I've created a group, where you can communicate with each other. That way, we won't barge in anyone's personal space."

She's a cunning woman. If I were to play a chess bout, I'm sure to lose 101/100 times.

She turned her back towards me and started walking towards her room, but then paused and turned back towards me.

"And just so you know, use protection!"

And she walked off and entered her dungeon.

Use protection she says. Like that's even possible. Me and Sakura? Pfft! I turned towards her, and to my surprise, she was blushing.

"Hey..."

"Uh! Wh-What?"

This is giving me red flags. Have to tread carefully.

"Why are you so red?"

"Huh?!"

She was red as a tomato.

"Shut up, Idiot!"

Is this what you call a tsundere reaction? Anyway...

"You do have some nerve, denying my proposal, and yet feeling shy for such matters."

"Hmph!"

She pouted.

"Oi! Cut that out! That may make you look cute, but that doesn't bring down your idiocy. It only makes your maturity go down." Agh!"

I started scratching my cheek.

"But I don't mind if it's you."

"What?!"

"Hehe! Teasing you is always fun."

"Sh-Shut up!"

"Alright! Can I use the shower?"

"Agh! Yes, it's ready, but..."

I went ahead without listening to what she had to say. I entered the shower, cleaned up myself, and got in the bathtub. Luckily, it was just a sprain. I always used to think having this guard around the hand raises your coolness factor back in the day and would double down as a super glove. Yeah, eight-grade syndrome, pathetic! I was deep in my train of thoughts. Why is she here? And she's staying with us indefinitely. Or is it that I'm staying with them? And mom doesn't mind me having a relationship with Sakura. It's all too strange! Think! Think! I'm missing something. Something trivial. Something that can connect all the dots...

Ah, so that's how it is! Mother, you are a scary woman! It was just 5 mins, and I heard some noises outside the door. I could see a shadow approaching the door. The door slid open. It was Sakura. It was Sakura just with a towel covering her body. JUST A TOWEL!

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"I said I'll help you out, didn't I?"

Now that she did mention it, I didn't hear out what she was telling. To think that she's actually this considerate...Yet, it begs the question...

"Why are you stark naked?"

"Idiot! I can't get my clothes wet."

"And you don't feel awkward."

"It's not the first time I've seen you naked!"

"Beg your pardon!"

"You heard me right."

"Ah, now that you mention it...it was a while ago. You have changed since then."

There was a smirk on my face. She noticed it.

"I'm only helping you since I'm partly to be blamed for this."

"If you want to claim responsibility, then why can't you just accept my proposal?"

She was quiet, and at the same time, cleansed herself up and entered the bathtub, and placed her back on my chest. This was kinda stimulating...Oof!

"Because you don't mean it!"

I was right! Sakura wasn't to be underestimated...

"So, why are you here?"

"I thought you would have heard. My parent's divorce concluded recently. I didn't want to live with either of them. And your mom was the attorney. So..."

All while she was saying this, I noticed the jet-black hair tied in a bun and her silky white skin. This was a strange, yet very soothing experience.

"So, Michiru's your girlfriend now?"

"You do have some nerve talking about my girlfriend while sitting naked next to me."

"Well, let's be honest, at the end of the day, you don't care about her. You don't care about anyone, and you can't."

"..."

"You know how much I wished I was like you. Maybe then..."

We spent some time like that, and before I knew it, we were closer, and I was embracing her gently. I could feel her soft skin. If this were a Hollywood movie, we would have been a couple of depressed and broken individuals, who are filling in for each other's insecurities and shortcomings.

A few moments later, she got up and pulled me out, and helped me with cleansing my body. We both were quiet the whole time. After everything was done, she dried me up and helped me with my clothes.

"You can go ahead...I've set the dinner for you on the table."

"Alright! Dry yourself before you catch a cold."

"Don't worry about me, idiot!"

I finished my dinner and headed towards my room. I just checked in on Sakura, and she was fast asleep. Her room was quite well furnished. I entered my room and locked the door.

Finally, I was reunited with my beloved bed. I was more tired than usual. What an eventful day!

And for the first time in a while...

"Zzzzzz...."